Campaign Trail Results: Game #1088800
Play The Campaign Trail
This Game:
- Year: 1988
- Player Candidate: Michael Dukakis
- Running Mate: Al Gore
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Winner Take All Mode?: Yes
- Game Played:
View overall results, or a specific state:
| Candidate | Electoral Votes | Popular Votes | Pop. Vote % |
|---|---|---|---|
| ---- Michael Dukakis | 463 | 49,716,586 | 54.29 |
| ---- George Bush | 75 | 40,878,193 | 44.64 |
| ---- Lenora Fulani/Other | 0 | 601,217 | 0.66 |
| ---- Ron Paul | 0 | 373,137 | 0.41 |
Visits:
- Florida:3
- Georgia:2
- Kentucky:2
- Texas:2
- Alabama:1
- Connecticut:1
- Michigan:1
Answers:
- How will you address the Iran-Contra scandal as you campaign for President?We will hammer on this theme, and particularly Mr. Bush's claim that he knew nothing about it. What kind of executive is he if he knew nothing about Iran-Contra?
- What message will you most emphasize as you accept the Democratic Party nomination?I will take the attack to George Bush, who has all of the weaknesses of Ronald Reagan, with none of the strengths. He was born with a silver foot in his mouth.
- To what extent will you make your performance as Governor of Massachusetts a centerpiece of your campaign?It's probably a little better to take the attack to George Bush. We will obviously give Massachusetts some mention, but it is not the main focus.
- How do you plan to attack the candidacy of George Bush, if at all?We oversaw the Massachusetts Miracle. Bush has remained out of the loop on key Reagan scandals, and lacked the judgment to suspend dealings with Noriega.
- Is it true that you are a “card-carrying” member of the American Civil Liberties Union?At one time I was a member of the ACLU, but I've been as concerned as any good American by some of the cases that organization has taken on in the past few years.
- In 1977, you vetoed a law requiring teachers to begin the school day with a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. What were you thinking?I have nothing to hide. I'm proud to protect the freedom of conscience that every American should enjoy.
- Do you believe that there should be federal funding for abortions?I have an open mind on this issue, but it would depend on who needs the money and what case they can make during the federal budget process.
- The Bush campaign is attacking the Massachusetts prison furlough program, which included furloughs for convicted murderers. One such person, Willie Horton, killed again in Maryland. What is your response?I have ordered a halt to this program, albeit too late in this case. We will immediately counterattack these charges with examples of federal furloughs gone awry under the Reagan Administration.
- The Bush campaign is attacking your opposition to the invasion of Grenada, and bombing of Libya. What is your response?I supported both of these actions in general. I criticized specific aspects of their implementation. I'm interested to know why Bush would distort the truth on this.
- The Bush campaign has repeatedly called you a “liberal” or “the liberal Governor”, and so on. Do you embrace the label of “liberal”?The Bush campaign continues to use dishonest language to scare the American people. I'm a pragmatist and a moderate Democrat. Bush is the real extremist in this race.
- The Bush campaign is highlighting the pollution in Boston Harbor to counter your claims of a Massachusetts Miracle. How will you respond?I think it would make a good TV ad if we went to Texas and spoke with some of the people who have been put out of work by the oil crash there. Let's ask them how they feel about the Reagan economy.
- Television advertising is coming to dominate the political campaign season. Where should the greatest emphasis be placed in your ads?Let's focus on my record as a Greek immigrant who has risen to the highest positions in American life, along with my competence and liberal values.
- To what extent will you campaign focus on your background as the child of Greek immigrants, and your rise through American society?I want to run a series of compare-and-contrast advertisements, comparing my own humble background with that of George Bush.
- To what extent will you attack George Bush's background as the son of a U.S. Senator, and as an elitist in general?Ann Richards gave a great speech during the convention attacking Bush's supposed Texan roots. I think we really have an issue that we can run with here.
- What is your opinion on the selection of Dan Quayle as George Bush's running mate?Dan Quayle is obviously unqualified to serve as President, should the need arise, and his selection is most certainly a red flag for the capabilities of George Bush.
- What do you have to say about the selection of Al Gore as your running mate?Al Gore was the third-highest vote-getter during the Democratic primaries, and we are proud to have him on the ticket to unite our party.
- What would you do as President to get the exploding crime rate in this country under control?We need to strengthen the power of the Drug Czar, and implement tough measures on repeat offenders. We also need programs to assist low-income families so that the children of today don't turn to crime in the future.
- What is your position on capital punishment?I believe, if a state wishes to impose capital punishment, that it should have every right to do so.
- Are you willing to rule out any further increases to the federal income tax, if elected President?Read my lips. There will be no new taxes under my Administration.
- Are protectionist measures of some kind needed to counteract the dominance of Japan in foreign trade?I think we can take limited steps to bring this trade back into balance, but in general we should celebrate the expansion of world trade with our allies.
- Do you support additional gun control measures at the federal level?I would only support limited steps on this issue, like a ban on “cop killer” bullets. Overall, I'm an opponent of increased gun control.
- What measures should be taken to assist states, such as Texas, which have been hurt by the recent crash in oil prices?We need to form a comprehensive energy strategy and re-implement price supports for domestic oil production.
- Could more have been done to prevent the current farm crisis, which has devastated the upper Midwest?We could have stabilized this situation much earlier with aggressive intervention from the federal government. This is the type of thing I would have done if I were President.
- Where will you spend your final day of the campaign?Texas and its neighboring states.
- Will you continue the tradition of debating your opponent in the month before the election?Let's do it.
